Justice News

77-Year Sentence Imposed On Anchorage Man For Conviction For Drug Trafficking, Kidnapping, And Using Firearms In Furtherance Of Those Crimes

Anchorage, Alaska - U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced today that United States Chief District Court Judge Ralph R. Beistline sentenced an Anchorage man, Phosavan Khamnivong, a.k.a. “P.K.,” 34, to 77 years’ imprisonment following his February 2015 convictions on drug trafficking conspiracy, two kidnapping charges, and two firearm charges.

According to court documents, Khamnivong has a prior conviction for Murder in the Second Degree, for the 1997 killing of a Kodiak cab driver. Khamnivong served approximately ten years of a 25-year sentence in that case. Shortly after his release, he immersed himself in the world of drug trafficking, becoming a large scale distributor of heroin and methamphetamine. One of the people he distributed drugs to was “Victim A,” a friend that Khamnivong met while he was prison. In late 2012 to early 2013, the defendant became associated with Stuart Seugasala. The men started bringing nearly pure methamphetamine, as well as other drugs, into Alaska from California. On March 13, 2013, Seugasala, Khamnivong, Timothy Miller, a.k.a. “Lil Tone,” and Anoai Sialofi, a.k.a. “A-Loc,” kidnapped, tortured, and sexually assaulted Victims A and B, because Victim A owed Khamnivong a past due heroin debt. At Seugasala’s direction, the sexual assault of one of the victims was videotaped so that he could intimidate others that owed the group money. The victims were released after over three hours and only after Victim A agreed to repay the drug debt to Khamnivong.

On May 16, 2013, an Anchorage Police Officer attempted to pull over Khamnivong’s vehicle after Khamnivong met with Seugasala in Anchorage. Khamnivong provided his license and registration, but fled when the officer expressed an interest in searching Khamnivong’s vehicle. As he fled, Khamnivong hit two police cars and then threw a loaded firearm from his vehicle. The firearm was found by a citizen on the sidewalk near Steller Secondary School, and turned into police.

Khamnivong was indicted in the federal case in August 2013, and remained a fugitive until December 2013, when he was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force. At arrest, agents recovered more drugs, guns and money.

Judge Beistline previously sentenced Stuart Seugasala to life imprisonment after a jury trial. Judge Beistline also sentenced Stacy Laulu, who went to trial with Seugasala and was convicted of HIPAA violations, to two years imprisonment. Co-defendant Anoai Sialofi was sentenced to 235 months imprisonment and co-defendant Timothy Miller was sentenced to a term of 12 years imprisonment.

In imposing the 77-year sentence on Khamnivong, Judge Beistline noted the defendant’s long criminal history, beginning when he was a juvenile, which culminated with the murder of the innocent cab driver for seven dollars. Judge Beistline noted that “he would have paid more than seven dollars for a chance at life.”

Judge Beistline then noted that when Khamnivong was released, he set himself up as a “big time heroin dealer” in Anchorage, who associated with “Seugasala and other criminals.” In comparison to Seugasala, Judge Beistline stated that Khamnivong was “equally evil in his desires and designs,” noting that he showed no mercy to Victim A, but rather “showed sick cruelty” that “didn’t stop until he promised to pay.” After the crime, Judge Beistline commented that Khamnivong “ran and hid, surrounding himself with an arsenal of weapons and drugs.”

Judge Beistline noted that a 77-year sentence was appropriate because Khamnivong was a “heartless career criminal and a danger to the community,” and stated that he did not think “there was any chance” that Khamnivong would change.

Ms. Loeffler commends the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the United States Marshals Service, the Anchorage Police Department, the Alaska State Troopers, and the Valdez Police Department for the investigation that led to the convictions in this case.